How Your Social Media Usage Can Affect Your Divorce Case

Social media has become a regular and integral part of our lives. We post images on social media of our families, showcase vacations, and may update our friends and network about the details of our life. Such social media visibility allows adults to remain connected to relatives and friends near and far but can have negative implications during a divorce.

The Cause and Effect of Social Media and Family Law

In 2019, a Pew Research study showed that 7 in 10 American adults use social media. While social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family, it can also significantly impact your divorce case. Past and present posts can be used as evidence in a court proceeding to prove parental negligence, infidelity, overspending, and even frame activities as risky, irresponsible behavior. 

On and offline, your reputation matters. A divorce case can be complex with many moving parts. A qualified lawyer with experience in protecting client rights during a divorce case will be able to maneuver through the waters of social media and online reputation during a proceeding. 

What can a lawyer use in a divorce case?

Suppose you are considering filing for divorce from a partner or have already separated from your spouse. In that case, it is essential to be mindful of how your social media activity can impact your case. A family law attorney will be able to advise social media usage and use legal knowledge, education, and experience to give you practical directives and guide your case toward optimal success. 

Some of the most common pieces of evidence drawn from social media and used in a divorce proceeding include:

• Excessive or reckless spending
• Proof of infidelity
• Evidence of derogatory comments about an ex
• Child custody arrangements
• Evidence of risky behavior 

Posts about partying or spending money may be used as evidence that you are an unfit parent. More importantly, derogatory comments about your ex posted on a public platform could be used to argue that you cannot co-parent healthily and constructively. Therefore, taking a break from social media is advisable, or at the very least, exercise caution and restraint in what you post during this difficult time.

Social media can also be used to track spending during a divorce. If one spouse overspends on luxury items or vacations, this can be used as evidence in court. Additionally, if one spouse hides assets such as savings accounts or investment portfolios, these may be discovered through social media searches or inquiring mutual friends about potential acquisitions.

Custody arrangements are not exempt from court proceedings. Parents with a grudge might regularly follow and track an ex’s life using social media to gather evidence against them for a case. If, for example, a parent posts photos or status updates showing them partying or engaging in other risky behavior, a judge may deem them unfit to have primary custody of their children. Similarly, if a parent makes derogatory comments about the other parent online, this can also impact custody arrangements and create tension within a divorce proceeding. 

Call a lawyer today

If you are going through a divorce, knowing how social media can impact your case is crucial. Be sure not to post anything online that could hurt your claim, and consider speaking with an attorney to learn more about how social media can affect your divorce.

Contact a divorce attorney at Demetrios N. Dalmares & Associates, Ltd. represent you and protect your rights during a divorce proceeding. Your information and reputation are important, and we aggressively pursue and protect your best interests. Contact us today for a free initial consultation, we want to hear from you!